In the greater Kruger National Park area of South Africa, there is no story more legendary than that of the white lions of the Timbavati.

Discovered in the mid-70s these snow white felines are not albino as one might think but simply carry a recessive gene that causes their coats to be white. Amazingly enough, every white lion world wide is ancestrally related to the white lions of the Timbavati.


After mysteriously disappearing for many years they were spotted again in 2006. A great place to see these cats in the wild today is the Motswari Private Game Reserve. They are known as the "Xakubasa Pride", "basa" means "white" in Shangaan. Photographer and field guide Chad Cocking has captured some truly breathtaking images of these rare cats which can be seen below.

http://www.africam.com/wildlife/the_white_lions_timbavati_amazing_images

Named after a cattle ranch that once existed on this property, Circle B Bar Reserve was jointly acquired by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program and the District to protect the floodplain of the lake and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system. The property is maintained by Polk County. Much of the property had previously been converted to pasture, but in 2005 and 2006, restoration projects were completed to restore much of the original hydrologic function of the lands. As a result of the marsh system restoration project, Circle B is now home to some of the most impressive bird activity on District property. The tremendous bird population includes a variety of wading birds, waterfowl, ospreys and bald eagles. Alligators inhabit Lake Hancock and may be observed at a distance from shore or from a pier. Oak hammock, freshwater marsh, hardwood swamp and the lakeshore are among the unique characteristics of this property.

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/circlebbarreserve.html

This friday night:
Award-winning actor and activist Martin Sheen embarks on an epic journey into both sides of his family history. It takes him to Dublin, Ireland and Madrid, Spain, where he discovers that a commitment to social justice runs deep in his roots.

what’s next on who do you think you are?

Marisa Tomei travels to Italy to reveal the truth about her great-grandfather’s murder.

February 10th, 8/7c


Tune in throughout the rest of the season to watch Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen.

More: http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/